South Africa edged past Zimbabwe with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Marrakech on Monday to secure a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, sealing second spot in Group B and eliminating their southern African rivals.
Oswin Appollis scored the decisive penalty in the final 10 minutes, ensuring South Africa finished the group stage with six points, one behind group winners Egypt. Both teams advanced to the last 16, while Angola finished third on two points and now face an anxious wait to see if they qualify among the best third-placed teams.
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South Africa took the lead early through Tshepang Moremi, who netted his first international goal after his shot deflected off Divine Lunga and looped into the net in the seventh minute. Zimbabwe responded with one of the goals of the tournament when Tawanda Maswanhise picked up the ball from 35 yards out, beat two defenders and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
The South Africans regained the lead shortly after halftime as defensive confusion allowed Lyle Foster to capitalise on a misplaced back header from Lunga and nod home. However, Zimbabwe refused to fold and equalised again in the 73rd minute when Maswanhise’s shot rebounded off defender Aubrey Modiba for an own goal.
Despite Zimbabwe creating several clear chances and exposing South Africa’s defensive frailties, the decisive moment arrived when Marvelous Nakamba handled a shot inside the penalty area. Appollis calmly converted the spot kick to give South Africa their third lead of the match, which they finally held onto.
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While the win sends South Africa into the knockout rounds, coach Hugo Broos will be concerned by his team’s vulnerability at the back. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stages end once again, falling short in their sixth attempt at progressing beyond the group phase.